Masters schedule, TV channels and how to watch the snooker online

The Masters gets underway this weekend as the best 16 players in the world battle for one of snooker’s most prestigious prizes.

Shaun Murphy triumphed last year and returns to Alexandra Palace in north London to defend his crown, starting with a first-round contest on Sunday against the young talent Wu Yize, one of five Chinese players in this year’s tournament.

Judd Trump arrives as the world No 1 and favourite to win the crown, and he takes on Ding Junhui in the first round. World champion Zhao Xintong begins against Gary Wilson on Monday.

But there will be no Ronnie O’Sullivan at this year’s Masters after the eight-time champion withdrew at the 11th hour citing medical reasons. O’Sullivan has been replaced by Chris Wakelin, who will start his campaign on Wednesday against Neil Robertson.

Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the Masters on TV, with match schedule and channel informationn below:

Best of 11 frames

Sunday 11 January

13:00 – Shaun Murphy (1) v Wu Yize (13)

19:00 – Mark Selby (8) v Xiao Guodong (11)

Live coverage:

13:00-17:15 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

19:00-22:00 - BBC Four, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

Monday 12 January

13:00 – Mark Williams (6) v Mark Allen (10)

19:00 - Zhao Xintong (2) v Gary Wilson (16)

Live coverage:

13:00-17:15 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

19:00-22:00 - BBC Four, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

Tuesday 13 January

13:00 – Kyren Wilson (4) v Si Jiahui (15)

19:00 – John Higgins (7) v Barry Hawkins (14)

Live coverage:

13:00-17:15 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

19:00-22:00 - BBC Four, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

Wednesday 14 January

13:00 – Judd Trump (3) v Ding Junhui (12)

19:00 – Neil Robertson (5) v Chris Wakelin (17)

Live coverage:

13:00-17:15 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

19:00-21:00 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

21:00-22:00 - BBC Four, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

Shaun Murphy (1) or Wu Yize (13) v Mark Selby (8) or Xiao Guodong (11)

Neil Robertson (5) or Ronnie O'Sullivan (9) v Kyren Wilson (4) or Si Jiahui (15)

Judd Trump (3) or Ding Junhui (12) v Mark Williams (6) or Mark Allen (10)

John Higgins (7) or Barry Hawkins (14) v Zhao Xintong (2) or Gary Wilson (16)

Thursday 15 January

Best of 11 frames

Match schedule TBC

Live coverage:

13:00-17:15 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

19:00-21:00 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

21:00-22:00 - BBC Four, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

Friday 16 January

Match schedule TBC

Live coverage:

13:00-17:15 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

19:00-21:00 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

21:00-22:00 - BBC Four, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

Saturday 17 January

Best of 11 frames

Match schedule TBC

Live coverage:

13:00-16:30 - BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

16:30-17:30 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

19:00-22:00 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

Sunday 18 January

Best of 19 frames

13:00-17:15 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

19:00-22:00 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app